THE HOUSE SPIDE'R 197 



The length of the first, or quiescent nymphal stage was ob- 

 tained for fourteen individuals. In no ease was it less than 2 

 days or more than 3 days. The average for the 14 individuals 

 was 2.3 days. 



The Second Nymph. — When the second nymph (figure 40) 

 emerges from the old skin of the quiescent nymph it is fully 

 armed and prepared for an active life. One of its first duties is 

 to cut its way out of the cocoon. This it can do, as we have 

 shown, hy working with other individuals without aid from the 

 mother. When free the first nymph can spin and snare prey 

 as the adult does. True it is that the snare is not extensive or 

 stxong, yet it is sufficient for the snaring of the most minute 

 insects. 



For a long while after emerging froan the cocoon the spider- 

 lings of the first active nymphal stage will remain near together 

 (see figure 41). By so doing they frequently invite disaster for 

 the whole brood at the hands of some hungry bird. Yet, tliere 

 is an evident advantage to the species in this communalism, as 

 it enables, the individuals to unite their snares, which are quite 

 small and of little importance when existing separately, into 

 one large snare, which is much more efficient in holding an 

 entangled victim. Again if a single individual would die of 

 starvation its body would be at hand for the others to consume, 

 as they are accustomed to do. Thus if no food is obtained for 

 a long period by way of ensnared prey, the bodies of the starved 

 ones will keep alive a few of their brothers and sisters. 



The writer has reared these second nymph spiderlings by 

 feeding them exclusively upon white flies and plant lice. When 

 they are confined in individual cells or cages the amoiuit of web 

 spun is so small that even such small insects as plant lice or 

 white flies are snared with difficulty. Undoubtedly the second 

 nymphs obtain many of their "catches" on account of the viotim 

 being snared by silk spun by the mother spider, on whose webs 

 this instar lives. 



Data were ohtained upon the length of the second nymphal 

 sta.:;'e for four individuals. The minimum obtained was 19 days ; 

 the maximum 26 days. Some individuals of this stage lived 

 longer than 26 days and died without molting, indicating a 

 greater maximum for this period. The average obtained for the 



